Thursday, January 17, 2013

A case for paint



Lately, there’s been a shortage of paint-able furniture around these parts and because of that I’ve been forced to lavish my painterly attentions on other items, their only criteria being that they’re holding still and have not been painted in the past seven days.

And that’s negotiable.


I present to you, my sidekick, The Kit.



The Kit holds all the behind-the-scenes ‘stuff’ that keeps the magic alive (not to mention things from falling over, off and generally going to pieces) in my antique mall space: a hammer, pliers, nails, tape, extra price tags, a magic eight ball, scissors, candy, a Swiffer duster, safety pins, elbow grease, glue, several thousand Sharpie markers and some loose change.

It’s like a vintage tool belt. A cute yet dirty, scruffy, rough-around-the-edges tool belt…



… that needs a makeover.






And thanks to more magic via blue painters tape and my bottomless cans of paint, The Kit is now sporting a set of imperfect & imprecise racing stripes.



 The stripes were sanded a skoch (is there really a correct way to spell ‘skoch’?) in an attempt to help camouflage their imperfect-ness and provide that lived-in look.




Of course, now the inside of The Kit looks more tired than ever so a full remodel is imminent. Please stay tuned. 

25 comments:

  1. Great idea! Why haven't I thought of using a cute item to carry all my tools for my booth? I've been keeping my supplies in a tote bag and it really gets messy. Glad I found your blog!

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  2. This is very cute!! such a great idea!

    chris

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  3. What a great idea for a booth kit! I lug my stuff around in a plastic shoebox - not appropriate at all for a vintage booth owner. I will look for a similar solution pronto. Also, cute paint job. I so enjoy your blog.

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  4. Great make over and great idea for your booth tote! I'm going to remember that one! ♥

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  5. I like your brain and I like the way it thinks.

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  6. Great makeover! You're so prepared. My booth kit has paperwork, pliers, price tags, tape and duct tape. I always end up running around the antique mall like an idiot looking for stuff. I should consider a well stocked kit like yours. Can you lend me some of your elbow grease? ;)

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  7. I would have NEVER thought to paint a suitcase! Thanks for the great idea. I actually have on that can be my guinea pig.

    Have a great day!

    Erica

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  8. If you're running short on items to paint, please pack a suitcase full of painting supplies, go to the nearest airport, and head this way. Thank you.

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  9. I love it! A perfect way to contain all your necessary tools of the trade. I've been carrying around a big plastic orange tool box for too long..huh, that has to change:-)

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  10. Ohhhh, very nice! I think I would have been too afraid to give this a try! So glad your a brave lady because it's looking amazing now!

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  11. Love it!!! The stripes fit is so perfectly!! A happy kit it is!! I will have to keep my eye out for a suitcase, to paint! Thanks for sharing! Have a lovely week! xo Heather

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  12. Great idea! Never thought to paint an old suitcase. The possibilities are endless. Thanks for sharing this idea.

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  13. Sew cute! (cough).
    But such a good idea (thanks).
    Somebody's going to spot it and want to buy that now, you'll see. Maybe include a paper shopping bag inside the kit, so when that person agrees to pay your price, you have something to empty the assorted contents into.
    Meanwhile, surely you can find another suitcase: how about one of those vintage Samsonite Silhouette makeup train cases - they even have a tray and a mirror inside, (you must then include a hairbrush and an extra lipstick to look pulled together when you're working the booth). Or, you could get into doing up all kinds of "kits" from flea market finds, (wow, the hot "new" 2013 tote bag!), and sell them on Etsy.
    Simply re-line them with assorted colorful stash fabric and you won't be breaking your 2013 resolution.
    Did you really need MY two cents?!?

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  14. Like that sporty new look!! Where do you find elbow grease? I seem to have lost mine!

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  15. Have seen THE KIT many times when we see each other ...never dawned on me that it needed a new look. New admiration for THE KIT...walk proud when you carry it!

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  16. I've painted roses on old suitcases - but this is a great idea - very cool!

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  17. You are making me feel guilty. I have a poor little train case that has been patiently waiting for a make-over for months. Maybe your post will inspire me to get off the pot, or to at least set the thing front and center where it can nag me a little.
    Love they way yours turned out!

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  18. Very cool! Great idea for those suitcases that no longer look their best, too!

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  19. painting really is fun as it totally changes an item in a short time. Suitcase looks great! Pam :-)

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  20. Much better than a Home Depot tool belt! Love the painting idea. I find all sorts of very ugly suitcases at thrift stores and never thought to paint them!

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  21. Adorable. And practical, too!

    xo
    Claudia

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  22. I'm lovin' that make-over... brilliant!

    oxo,
    Jill

    PS: Thanks so much for the sweet email the other day. It kind of nudged me. I'm back. :)

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  23. Love your "kit." I carry all my booth necessities in a tote....oh, yes...one must always have plate racks, hammer/nails, price tags and pegboard hooks close at hand!

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  24. You are obsessed! And I love it! Your obsession, I mean;) And the makeover of your tool kit too!

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